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Hazleton native making mark as softball coach at D.C. school for deaf

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TARA LANNING/Gallaudet Athletics
Gallaudet University head softball coach and Hazleton native Joseph Kolcun recently was featured in a national softball newsletter. The Washington D.C. school is the nation's only college or university to provide a complete collection of programs and services specifically for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Actions are louder than words and can have a tremendous impact on the world around you.

Hazleton native and Gallaudet University head softball coach Joseph Kolcun was the subject of a feature story early this year in a national softball newsletter discussing what he faces as the deaf coach of a team comprised of deaf and hard of hearing players.

Kolcun, a graduate of the Scranton State School for the Deaf, spoke with writer Dave Hines for the January edition of Fastpitch Delivery newsletter, which is published by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).

The article - "Gallaudet's Kolcun Seeing Signs of Success" - explored what Kolcun has faced since he assumed the head coach position in 2010.

Gallaudet University is located in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1864 and is the only college or university to provide a complete collection of programs and services specifically for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Although some may think it's difficult for a team with deaf and hard of hearing players to compete in a sport full of noise and activity, Kolcun said there isn't much separating his team from its opponents.

"We are not much different except we can't hear,'' he wrote in an email. "We are similar in every aspect. We feel proud when we play hard and represent the Gallaudet softball program and Gallaudet University.

Everyone faces challenges in life on the path to success and Kolcun feels that being deaf isn't any bigger than the hurdles someone else may face. He teaches his players to meticulously prepare for games and stay incredibly focused on game day.

"I always tell them that they have other opportunities to make up for their mistakes,'' he said. "Struggling is a great way to get them to become better players in the long run and not only that, it makes them a better person in general. Practice and playing hard is a great way to release their stresses from their academic and other commitments."

The Lady Bison compete in the NCAA Division III's North Eastern

Athletic Conference. Kolcun said his team needs to practice and play like every other team and use their knowledge and skills to produce on game day. His coaching philosophy is to take things "one play at a time, keep it simple, be more alert at every situation, and be aggressive on both offense and defense."

The Lady Bison don't have an official sign language interpreter on the staff, but there is a coach that can hear who is available to communicate with the umpires and opposing coaches if it's necessary.

Although the team may take advantage of breaks between innings and other stoppages of play to communicate visually, Kolcun said his team knows exactly what to do when the action is happening.

"We depend on communication during dead balls or between the innings because we are unable to hear. It is extremely challenging for us, but again, during the practices, we always stress the importance of understanding the situations and being aware of unexpected situations," he said.

Kolcun said most of the teams Gallaudet faces know the players are deaf and hard of hearing so they aren't surprised to face them. Although he didn't want to ''speak'' for others, Kolcun said he feels his team is gaining a positive perception with its opponents.

"For the most part, the teams we face already know we are deaf and hard of hearing so there is not usually a lot of reaction. We have four players who are deaf, nine players who are hard of hearing and one hearing player," he said. "I cannot speak for other athletes and their perceptions toward us, however, I think they understand that our team has become more competitive. That's a positive sign on our part."

Kolcun's love of baseball and softball began when he signed up for T-Ball when he was 7 years old. He played four years with the Pulaski Club Little League team in West Hazleton, three years with the TEAM Supply junior Babe Ruth team and a year with Booster Club in the Valley Senior Babe Ruth League.

He received a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation and a master's degree in leisure service administration from Gallaudet. He is also currently the university's Intramurals and Summer Sports Camps Coordinator.

Kolcun was a three-year member of the baseball team. He was a utility player and played centerfield and shortstop for most of his career. He served as an assistant coach with the team in 2008 before transitioning to softball.

"The Gallaudet athletic director offered me the job in 2010 and I thought it was a great opportunity to take because I knew I had a coaching background with the women's flag football team for four years and I played baseball my entire life," Kolcun said. "The only two different things between softball and baseball are pitching and game strategy that's involved with slappers, quick games and bunts. I have no regrets taking this job. I love my players; they are the reason I love my job. The hardest part of coaching is to see my seniors finish their careers and move on. To see them grow from day one to now is amazing and confirms that I've been a successful coach."

Kolcun's move to softball has been quite a success. He led the Lady Bison to eight, 10 and 11 wins in his first three seasons on the job and reached 13 wins this year.

Kolcun hopes to continue to build a strong and successful program. He wants future teams "to have a winning season, reduce our errors and mental mistakes, be more aggressive on hitting and base running and, of course, to win the conference."

"I want to build this softball program stronger for deaf and hard of hearing student-athletes and to expand and offer a youth camp for deaf and hard of hearing softball players."

In addition to softball and baseball, Gallaudet also competes in football, women's soccer, women's volleyball and men's and women's basketball, cross country, swimming and diving and track and field.

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